Busy, Busy Boy, Boy!

It was about 10:30am, and Anna and I were working so hard on school. I knew that David and Thomas were quite happy, and quite busily playing. I was pretty certain they were safe, and not into trouble; however, I had no idea exactly what they were occupying themselves with...until David called me into their room to look at their "project."



I think this is pretty much every toy that we own. Wow. I was...impressed. Just in case you're wondering, I did make sure they put all the toys away in their correct places again, which took quite a bit longer than the original project, but they did get it done. Busy, busy boys!

Government Thoughts

Our time in Tyler this weekend was great, even thought sweet Daniel was sick. His stomach virus provided me a cherished opportunity to visit extra long with my Dad, which I enjoy so much. He played a video for me about governments, which I thought to be excellent. It was a concise summary of the types of rule and historical patterns of rising and falling governments with emphasis on the American form of government. Considering that I am just as much in need of a solid classical education as my children, I was glad to have this 10-minute education! Here is the much-recommended link: The American Form of Government Video.

After watching the video, I found myself frustrated that we have so many politicians writing legislation who are subject to re-election by the voting masses - by the uneducated; by people with no understanding of basic economics; by people who are driven by moral "agendas"; by the folks who have no idea what is in the best interest of the country, nor do they care, but only think of their own selfish cravings. Then Kris and Dad reminded me that universal suffrage does not date back to the signing of the Constitution. At that time, only the land-owners could vote. Call me what you like, but I really see the wisdom in this! In the best interests of the nation, I can understand why one wouldn't give the right to vote to everybody who breaths and is over 17. I think our nation has crept way too close to becoming a democracy - dangerously, irreversibly close, if this video clip is accurate.
How thankful I am to know the One who rules over the rise and fall of nations and who holds the times in His hand. Nothing to fear, though the earth give way!

Anna's Egyptian Project

For the Coram Deo First Grade Egyptian Festival, each child chose a project to present. Anna first wanted to make a pyramid that could open up at the top to allow for the insertion and removal of an Egyptian paddle doll. As amazing as that would be, (I was relieved when) she decided to present on Egyptian houses. She worked hard to make the floorplan of an Egyptian villa. She used poster board, and by herself decided that popsicle sticks would make the walls. She used fabric for the floor, pipe cleaners for shrubs, white fur and fabric for pillows and beds, play-doh for the grain stores, and cut-out clip art for the cattle, ducks and Egyptians. My favorites were the grapes for the wine press and grapevines, which she punched out of purple construction paper, and the feather that she used to shade the owner of the villa as he sat in the reception hall greeting guests. Here are some pictures of her work. Great work, Anna!

My Engineer-in-training

Last week David worked hard designing a super-cool Lego airplane. As cool as it is, however, I still think his smile tops it, hands down.

Egyptian Festival

Monday, March 9th was Egyptian festival day for first grade at Coram Deo Academy. We planned for this day for months, and Anna was so excited. I found a great costume on Craig's List last fall that dear Faye Dudding picked up for me (Thanks, again, Faye!).

The morning started early for me to make four tiny braids in Anna's hair with gold ribbons, each finished with a bead. Then we put eyeliner on her eyes to make her look more Egyptian. She looked so pretty. Complete with sandals, she headed off to school with Kris.

The boys were excited too. We went to the school at 10:00 to watch the program, and Kris met us there, as he took the morning off for the special occasion. At home, Anna practiced well for her presentation. When her time came, she must have been a bit nervous, but she presented her project so well considering that this was the first time she was required to speak in front of a crowd. What a great experience!
The meal was a great success, and the pyramid cake I made turned out okay, thanks to the tips I got from Kim Doyle a few years ago and my dear former neighbor Jennifer Newman! All in all, it was a wonderful festival and a great memory.

Our Fun Day at the Zoo

Tuesday, March 5th was Homeschool Day at the Fort Worth Zoo, and we loaded up and met Kathryn Sowell and her parents and children. We had a blast! One highlight was seeing baby flamingos as a keeper was carrying them to the flamingo pen. The boys were mesmerized by the sharks. There was a very impressive boa in the entry room of the reptile exhibit that attracted a lot of attention from the kids as well. Daniel kept us laughing as he announced that each animal was a "Doggie"!

Daniel's Very Messy Mess

Yesterday, during a routine lunch time, I exited the table briefly with Thomas to take care of an urgent matter. When I returned, I regretted being absent. Here's what an 18month old can do in a very short time while Mommy is away:

Security

We have several friends who have recently come into difficult straits with this economy. Hard decisions. Stress. Uncertainty about the future. What a reminder to us that we are not our own! Kris' job is such a blessing, but it is not guaranteed.

But wait a minute. Something much, much better is guaranteed. We have a 100% security of having God be for us. Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?" He didn't spare His own Son so that He could save us. He is for us. We know that He will be near us in trouble.

Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble. We should expect it in some shape or form until we meet Him face to face. But we are afraid of it.

What should we be afraid of? Running out of money? Living in a homeless shelter? Eating beans for dinner every night? Having to rely on someone else's generosity to eat? Not having money for our children's education? Wearing ragged clothing? NO! These things are NOT what we should fear.

He promises, PROMISES, that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. He will help us. He will rescue us. He will satisfy us.

Psalm 91:15-16
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.

I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil. What does He regard as evil? Hebrews 3:12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

In this verse, evil is unbelief - not trusting God that He will do what He says. That is what we should be afraid of: unbelief! "I believe; help my unbelief!"

So, my prayer is that I will not find my security in the fact that Kris' job looks stable this week. (That could oh so quickly change.) My only security is in Christ Jesus my Lord, who gave Himself up for me. "How will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" I want Him to find in me a believing heart.

Duckie

Sweet little Thomas told Kris tonight that he could take his Duckie with him to work tomorrow.

Update: I don't know which was sweeter and funnier: Thomas offering Duckie to Kris or Kris actually walking out the door this morning with Duckie in hand. From what I hear, Duckie sat at Kris' desk all day, and came home to a smiling Thomas this evening.

Funny Thomas

Tonight at dinner, we were discussing less-common varieties of meat, one of which was rabbit. Anna was worried that she shouldn't eat rabbit since she's allergic to it, but Kris reminded her that it was only the fur she is allergic to and that the meat is the good part. At that moment, Thomas piped up: "The tastiest part is the belly button!"


As I was brushing his teeth, Thomas pointed to the pictures of Big Bird and Elmo on his toothpaste. "Mommy, does this toothpaste have Elmo skin in it?"

"No, Thomas, there's no Elmo skin in your toothpaste."

"What about bird feet?"

"No, Thomas, it doesn't contain bird feet either."

Whew! What a relief!

Last week I had an interesting encounter at Wal-Mart. As I was exiting, a young woman commented on how cute Daniel was. She actually spoke to him. She had two little girls with her, and I commented on them. She said she had a tiny little boy in the NICU, just one month old and one pound, who was born premature. I asked her if she had any help with her girls coming and going to the hospital. None. It was hard to believe. But here she was, probably a single mom, with no support system.
"I wish I could do something for you! I will pray for you. God knows what your girls need, what your little boy needs, and what you need. I will pray! Are you a Christian?"
"Yes, I mean, no. Yes I am, but no I'm not."
We visited a bit longer and she said she might visit our church. She hadn't been to church in a long time. Remembering James 2:16, I handed her a little cash, gave her a hug, and we went on our way.
Looking back, I know all I said was inadequate. But I'm thankful to serve a God who uses the inadequate and weak. So I pray for that lonely mother, Father, that you would work in her heart, and draw her to yourself, where all her needs will be satisfied.